Noteworthy the Aggressor F-16s are the oldest Vipers in the USAF fleet, and the aircrew puts the aircraft through a lot of stress, sometimes pulling nine G-forces. That’s why reason more often than not the aircraft return to base with something that requires repair.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and U.S. Navy wrapped up Exercise Cope North 17 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Mar. 3.

The exercise began Feb. 15, 2017, and focused on improving aerial and ground-based combat readiness and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations with an overarching objective of reinforcing existing partnerships within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

More than 2,700 personnel and 100 aircraft participated in this year’s Cope North. A full range of capabilities were trained including fighter, bomber, airlift, tanker, rescue and command and control aircraft operations. More than 700 sorties have been completed over the three-week exercise providing numerous opportunities to learn and refine tactics.

While training for air superiority, U.S. and Japanese forces conducted live bombings on the Farallon de Medinilla Range, located 160 nautical miles north of Guam. Additionally, all forces engaged in fighter versus fighter air combat tactics training and integrated with the B-1B Lancer for the first time during a Cope North.

The Cope North exercise continues to develop a common operating picture using U.S., Japanese, and Australian airborne and land-based command and control assets.

Cope North was previously held in Japan as often as four times a year and was moved to Andersen AFB, Guam, in 1999. The exercise is now held once a year and continues to serve as a keystone event to promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

Source: F-16’s refuel during COPE NORTH 17 by Senior Airman Keith James, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs and Pacific Air Forces; Photo credit: Staff Sgt. Keith James / U.S. Air Force

Dario Leone is an aviation, defense and military writer. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviation Geek Club” one of the world’s most read military aviation blogs. His writing has appeared in The National Interest and other news media. He has reported from Europe and flown Super Puma and Cougar helicopters with the Swiss Air Force.

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